Chapter 7

THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM

(1946-1970)

Historical Background
The Americans returned in 1945. The Filipinos rejoiced and guerillas who fled to
the mountains joined the liberating American Army.

On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained its freedom and the Filipino flag waved
joyously alone. The chains were broken.

A. THE STATE OF LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD

The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of "struggle of mind and
spirit" posed by the sudden emancipation from the enemy and the wild desire to see
print. Filipinos had, by this time, learned to express themselves more confidently
but post-war problems beyond language and print-like economic stability, the threat
of new ideas and mortality had to be grappled with side by side.

There was proliferation of newspapers like the FREE PRESS, MORNING

SUN, of Sergio Osmeña Sr., DAILY NEWS of Manuel Roxas, MANILA TIMES
and DAILY MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING NEWS of Ramon Roces,
BULLETIN of Menzi. This only proved that there were more readers in English
than in any other vernaculars like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon.

Some Filipino writers who had gone abroad and had written during the interims
came back to publish their works. Not all the books published during the period
reflected the war years, some were compilations or second editions of what had been
written before.

Some of the writers and their works:

*THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN - a compilation of the best works of some Ex-
Usaffe men like Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de Jesus and J. F.
Rodriguez.

*TWILIGHT IN TOKYO, PASSION AND DEATH OF THE USAFFE by Leon

Ma. Guerrero.

*FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY - by S.P. Lopez

*BETRAYAL IN THE PHILLIPINES- by Hernando Abaya

*SEVEN HILLS AWAY- by NVM Gonzales

 1.POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD

For the first twenty years , many books were published ... both in Filipino and in
English. Among the writers during this time were Fred Ruiz Castro, Dominador I.
Ilio, and C. B. Rigor.

Some notable works:

*Heart of the Islands (1947) a collection of poems by Manuel Viray.

*Philippine Gross Section (1950) a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo
Ramos and Florentino Valeros.
*Prose and Poems (1952) by Nick Joaquin
*Philippine Writing (1953) by T. D. Agcaoili
*Philippine Harvest by Amador Daguio
*Horizons Least (1967) a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in
English (short stories, essays, research papers,poems and drama) by Artemio Patacsil
and Silverio Baltazar.
*Who Spoke of Courage in his Sleep by NVM Gonzales.
*Speak not, Speak Also by Conrado V. Pedroche
*Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo

Jose Garcia Villa's HAVE COME , AM HERE won acclaim both here and abroad.
The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and
political problems. Toribia Maño's poems showed deep emotional intensity.

2. NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH

Stevan Javellana's WITOUT SEEING THE DAWN tells of the grim experiences
of war during the Japanese Occupation.

In 1946, the Barangay Writer's Project whose aim was to publish works in English
by Filipinos were established.

In 1958, the Pen Center of the Philippines (poets, essayists, novelists) was
inaugurated . In the same year, Francisco Arcellana pyblished his PEN
ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES.

In 1961, Kerina Polotan's novel THE HAND OF THE ENEMY won the Stonehill
Award for the Filipino novel in English.

In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr. 's short story THE ADVERSARY won the Philippines
Free Press short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF PROFESSIONAL
RIECO won second prize in the Palanca Memorial Awards Linterature and in 1970,
his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the GRAPHIC short story award.

THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD

Philippine Literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes n the
writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese
government and the brave guerilla exploits.

Newspapers and magazine publication were re-opened like the Bulaklak,

Liwayway, Ilang Ilang, and Sinag Tala. The people's love for listening to poetic
jousts increased more than before and people started to flock to places to hear poetic
debates.

Many books were published during this time, among which were:

1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla

2. Ang Maikling Kwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) by Teodoro Agoncillo
3.Ako'y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and stories by Genoveva Edroza
Matute
4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla
5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor (1962) by A. G. Abadilla
and Ponciano E. P. Pineda
6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected poems by Huseng Sisiw and
Balagtas, collected by A. G. Abadilla
7.Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro.
He prepared this book for teaching in reading and appreciation of poems , dramas,
short stories and novels.
8. Manlilikha , Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by Rogelio G. Mangahas
9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang aklat ng diwa at Panitikan) 1965 by
Efren Abueg
10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish the poem of 16 poets in
Pilipino.
11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar
12. Manunulat : Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970). by Efren Abueg. In this book,
Abueg proved that itbis possible to have a national integration of ethnic culture in our
country.
13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal. Many books about Rizal came during this period. The law
ordering the additional study of the life of Rizal helped a lot in activating our writers
who write books about Rizal.
 THE PALANCA AWARDS

Another inspiration for writers in Filipino was the launching of the Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature headed by Carlos Palanca Sr. in 1950 (until now the
award are still being given although the man who founded it had passed away. The
awards were given to writers of the stories, plays, and poetry.

The first awardees in the first year, 1950-51 in the field of short story were the
following:

First Prize: KUWENTO NI MABUTI by Genoveva Edroza

Second Prize: MABANGIS NA KAMAY... MAAMONG KAMAY by Pedro S.

Dandan

Third Prize: PLANETA, BUWAN AT MGA BITUIN by Elpidio P. Kapulong